| We compare continuous and Boolean dynamics of gene regulatory networks, using simple modules as well as complex networks. We translate the Boolean model for gene activity into continuous dynamics for mRNA and protein concentrations using sigmoidal Hill functions. We establish conditions under which dynamical attractors of the Boolean and the continuous model agree with each other. These conditions depend only on general features such as the ratio of the relevant time scales, the degree of cooperativity of the regulating interactions, the logical structure of the interactions, and the robustness of the dynamical patterns under random time delay. |
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